DISCOVERY: Comparison of communication mediums

Email

Pros

• ·      Universal, ubiquitous
• ·      One-to-many and one-to-one communication easily supported
• ·      Instantaneous
• ·      Provides organization and archiving of conversations
• ·      Can be refined and formalized, can take time with response
• ·      Check inbox, read and reply when you like (store and forward)
• ·      Private channel

Cons

• ·      No idea if person reading email is logged in, reading your email, no idea of timeframe for reply
• ·      Can feel impersonal
• ·      Can be misinterpreted
• ·      Information overload
• ·      Spam

IM

Pros

• ·      Immediacy
• ·      Spontaneous, brief, conversational
• ·      Many-to-many and one-to-one communication easily supported
• ·      Social presence felt through real-time communication

Cons

• ·      Intrusive
• ·      Proprietary
• ·      Presence online typically required (real-time)

Phone

Pros

• ·      Easier to ask questions and get instantaneous feedback
• ·      Can be more time-efficient

Cons

• ·      Agreements still need to be written down and sent in an email